Staff Council Meetings:
The next Staff Council meeting will take place online on Tuesday, August 4th from 12:05-1:30. All members of the UVM community are welcome.
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In This Issue:
STAFF COUNCIL NEWS
CAMPUS NEWS
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Dear UVM Staff,
Before I write anything else, I want to thank you – for your hard work, your professionalism, and your heroism, as we grapple with a pandemic that has had most of us struggling to balance work, family, and self-preservation, all while working remotely.
Staff Council begins a new cycle this month with our first monthly meeting of the year on August 4th. We have a completely full body of representatives this year, which is exceptional – I’m not sure that has ever happened before. These new minds are already bringing their ideas and energy to the table for discussion and to craft proposals for Administration to consider.
Grief and anger abound over the injustices and inequities currently being laid bare by current events. Some of us are only now becoming aware of the painful pervasiveness of systemic racism and the roles we as individuals play in upholding it, while others of us have known it all our lives, firsthand. We’re having difficult conversations much more frequently – and while this is vital, important work, it’s also grueling. And many of us are having to adjust to additional challenges as UVM’s financial decisions begin to take hold in our daily lives. It is truly a trying time for us all.
Staff Council leadership and the Staff Council office staff continue to prioritize deeper understanding of our own positionalities and the gaps in our understanding, through reading and through participation in several antiracist discussion groups with staff leadership across campus which have been meeting regularly this summer. As we turn the lens on ourselves and on the organization of Staff Council as a whole, we are also actively working on tangible actions we can take that will allow Staff Council to more inclusively engage with the experiences and voices of those who continue to be disenfranchised and under-represented.
With regards to the safe re-opening of campus amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many more questions than answers. Processes and procedures continue to evolve as the committee and work groups tasked to plan a safe return to campus meet regularly. It will be difficult and unfamiliar at times as we try to navigate the many new obstacles and uncertainty that will arise in our “new normal.” Staff Council will be here every step of the way to listen to your concerns and ideas as they arise, and convey them directly to senior administration.
Despite the unfamiliar waters ahead, I know one thing will remain the same – the grit and determination of UVM staff. I applaud each and every one of you for your continued service to our university during this unpredictable year. Life is difficult right now, but as Robert Frost wrote, “it goes on.”
Be well, and keep creating moments of happiness for yourself and others.
~ Steve Lunna
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Get to know a few more new Representatives whose terms began on July 1st:
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Who Is My Staff Council Representative?
To find out who represents your unit, just visit our directory of representatives. You can always reach out to your rep or to the Staff Council Office with any issues, questions, or suggestions.
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Throughout July, several faculty groups submitted letters to Administration in support of Staff Council's June 30th written response (PDF) to the UVM budget cuts. These letters of support may be found on our website.
On July 2nd, President Garimella offered a verbal response in a Q&A with himself and Provost Prelock (see below for details) which he stated should be considered his formal response.
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On July 9th, Staff Council attended a Q&A session with VP Gary Derr and Provost Prelock, which was the second installment in a series of two sessions with senior administration. This was not a Staff Council meeting; rather, we responded to Administration's request to meet. We had submitted 10 pages of questions ahead of time. View recordings of both meetings here.
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The Staff Council Professional Development Fund first quarter application period is now closed. It will re-open again for the second quarter on September 1st. Check out the links below for more information and to plan your application.
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The Davis Center Art Curators and UVM Staff Council are pleased to be hosting the 10th Annual Staff Art Exhibit - showcasing the extraordinary talents of the University of Vermont's staff during Staff Appreciation Week (September 14–17, 2020). Should policies related to COVID-19 allow, selected artwork will be displayed in the Dudley H. Davis Student Center's fireplace lounge gallery with a reception on Monday, September 14th (Time TBD). They are now seeking UVM staff artists to submit work for consideration in this year’s exhibit.
If you would like to submit your art for consideration, you may do so using this form. All pieces must be wired, framed, or otherwise ready for installation. The deadline for submissions is Friday, August 24th. For questions about this exhibit, check out the website or contact the Davis Center Art Curators.
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A letter from the 2020 Staff Appreciation Committee:
Each fall, the University of Vermont holds Staff Appreciation Week to celebrate the dedication and hard work demonstrated by our staff throughout the year. Events like the Staff Appreciation social on the green, staff art show, and special luncheon and dinner to recognize staff who have reached 10, 15, 20, and 25+ year milestones at UVM, have become a tradition we look forward to hosting. Unfortunately, due to health and safety concerns around the spread of COVID-19 in large social gatherings, we have cancelled all in-person Staff Appreciation events including the social on the green, and the special luncheon and dinner for staff celebrating milestone anniversaries with UVM.
The UVM Staff Appreciation Committee in collaboration with Staff Council has reinvented Staff Appreciation 2020 to ensure staff are still acknowledged for their commitment and years of hard work while respecting the health and safety of all staff and community members. As such, the following changes have been implemented for Staff Appreciation 2020:
- The Social on the Green (barbeque luncheon), has been cancelled for 2020. This complies with the Governor’s order to limit the size of social gatherings. As the situation changes, we will revisit the possibility of an all-staff event later in the year.
- The special recognition luncheon and dinner for staff celebrating 10, 15, 20, and 25+ anniversaries with UVM are cancelled. In lieu of these special events, staff who are celebrating a milestone year with UVM this year will receive a gift card from our local Farmhouse Restaurant Group. UVM wanted to acknowledge these milestones, and take the opportunity to support our local restaurants.
- Staff who are celebrating anniversaries of 20+ years with UVM will be able to select from over 100 gifts based on their years of service through Awards Network (a new vendor offering a wide array of quality gifts). The vendor will send out gift selection packets to staff celebrating 20+ year milestones in September/October.
- Staff members celebrating a 25+-year milestone anniversary with UVM will be recognized on the Staff Appreciation website via a special anniversary video. The video will be posted in September.
- The Staff Art Show will go virtual! Participants can submit a photograph and description or brief video showing and explaining the artwork. The virtual art show will be hosted on the Staff Appreciation website this fall. More details will be coming soon.
As the situation with COVID-19 changes, the Staff Appreciation Committee will re-evaluate certain events and notify staff of any changes. In the meanwhile, we continue to appreciate the ongoing commitment of UVM staff during this challenging time.
Thank you for all that you do.
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How is Racism a public health issue and education crisis? Join the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for two live events where participants will learn from top local and national experts about these timely issues that cannot be ignored. Speakers will share their knowledge and how applying an equity lens can make positive and sustainable differences.
Not Just COVID: Examining the Centuries of Health Care Inequities and Racial Trauma
Date & Time: Wed, August 5, 2020 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EDT
REGISTER HERE.
Pandemic Pods, Hybrid Schedules, and Remote Instruction: Solutions or Perpetuating Inequitites?
Date & Time: Thurs, August 6, 2020 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EDT
REGISTER HERE.
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Classism in Higher Education
August 3 – August 7
Online via MS Teams
In this asynchronous, discussion-based class, attendees will explore issues of social class and classism in higher education. This course will take place over one work-week, allowing participants to access the materials and conversations with their colleagues on their schedules. Participants can anticipate spending 2 hours on this training between materials and online discussion forums (over Teams).
Register in PeopleSoft HR, Class Code: CCP023
Calculating Modified Capacities for Social Distancing in Department Space
August 6th,10:00-11:00 AM
Online via MS Teams
In this asynchronous, discussion-based class, attendees will explore issues of social class and classism in higher education. This course will take place over one work-week, allowing participants to access the materials and conversations with their colleagues on their schedules. Participants can anticipate spending 2 hours on this training between materials and online discussion forums (over Teams).
Register in PeopleSoft HR, Class Code: POL033
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UVM Libraries recently announced that New York Times subscriptions are now available for UVM students, staff, and faculty. Through this subscription you can access the NYT app for mobile devices, the online archive dating back to 1851, and many podcasts. You can also access a NYT in Education website that includes 16 discipline-specific areas of study, discussion prompts, learning outcomes, instructional strategies, and co-curricular activities (you’ll need to register separately for this with your UVM email). Learn more and set up your account.
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UVM Employee Wellness is once again partnering with The Edge to bring you the HealthyCARE 90 Day program. This virtual program includes 13 weeks of one hour long group sessions with your Certified Wellness Coach, 3 one-on-one sessions with a Registered Dietitian as well as weekly whole foods meal plans and hundreds of recipes! Please see this flyer (PDF) for additional details and dates.
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